Love what you do, do what you love

I’ve always envied people who were good at something they loved. People who dedicated their entire lives to a sport, not because anyone was pressuring them to, but because they genuinely loved it... I’ve always envied people who were good at something they loved. People who dedicated their entire lives to a sport, not because anyone was pressuring them to, but because they genuinely loved it. People who could sit for hours in front of the same canvas, perfecting details that only the trained eye could perceive, because they felt the most at ease with a paintbrush in their hand. People who looked forward to a sociology or physics exam, because it was their equivalent of a match to an athlete or an exhibition to an artist. It was their opportunity to showcase their talent. To do something that they loved and be given due credit for it, to be recognized.

I’ve tried my hand at a number of things, to find ‘the one’, but in this case in terms of a calling rather than a person. I learned early on that art wasn’t really my thing. I still like to paint now and then, just for fun, but it’s never something to be impressed by. That’s okay though, it was always just for relaxation. Classical dancing, again, was something I did not enjoy much. That’s not to say that I don’t still let loose when an especially good song comes on at a party. Athletics were .... a no. Serious organized sports were never my thing. Unfortunately I have measly upper or lower body strength, nor any interest in becoming an Olympian. And I’m 100% okay with that. The only thing that has ever come close to being ‘the one’ for me would be writing. But there’s still a part of me that wonders if there’s anything truly special about my writing, or if it’s just ...

Regardless, it’s something that I love doing. And I’ve learned that only devoting time to things you’re good at but may not necessarily love is a sad way to live life. So I paint, and I dance, and I swim - whenever I get the chance. And I feel great afterwards. Because even though these aren’t things that I’m good at - and probably never will be - they make me happy. And isn’t that all any of us are looking for?

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Written in stone?

I think people are afraid of permanence. People get cold feet before weddings because they’re afraid of being with one person permanently. They’re afraid of getting piercings and tattoos because they’re permanent. They’re afraid of having kids because they’re going to become a permanent fixture in their lives. To be honest with you, I’m terrified of permanence. I think people are afraid of permanence. People get cold feet before weddings because they’re afraid of being with one person permanently. They’re afraid of getting piercings and tattoos because they’re permanent. They’re afraid of having kids because they’re going to become a permanent fixture in their lives. To be honest with you, I’m terrified of permanence. I can’t think of a single career that I’d be happy to do for the rest of my life, I can’t think of a single place I want to settle down, I can’t think of being with one person forever. It all just seems too ... permanent. But on the other hand, maybe I’m just afraid because I haven’t found the one career, the one place, the one person that I’d want to settle down with forever. Maybe I’m just waiting for a calling, something that brings me such immense joy when I think of it that I can’t imagine not doing it. Something that I’m so passionate about that doing it forever doesn’t seem like long enough.

But then there also becomes the issue of dependence. The more permanent something is in your life, the more dependent you are on them. They become your defining points, they make up your personality, they become a part of you. For a while, I avoided dependence like the plague. I thought it was a sign of weakness, a sign of not being self-sufficient. But I know now that is usually not the case.

There’s no problem with being dependent on something or someone, everyone is. Maybe you’re dependent on your parents for their support and guidance. Maybe you’re dependent on school for giving you something to work towards, a goal. Maybe you’re dependent on your friends to get you out of a slump. All of that is completely fine. The only problem is when the thing you’re dependent on is toxic. When you’re dependent on drugs, or a bad habit, or an abusive parent. If your dependency takes more than it gives, that’s when you know something’s wrong. But then again, getting out of something like that is easier said than done. Regardless, something has to change.

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Do we really settle for mediocrity?

Sometimes I wonder if I’m destined for a life of mediocrity... Sometimes I wonder if I’m destined for a life of mediocrity. Don’t get me wrong, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with being mediocre. In fact, one might even say that it’s a better life, free of the pressures and travails of being extraordinary. So, I think I’m ok with being mediocre. But then a part of me starts thinking about the other people in my life. Will people be ok with having someone in their lives that they can’t boast about at dinners? Will they be ok with the fact that my only legacy will be my family? How about someone who is perfectly content with fading into oblivion once they’ve passed away?

It sounds twisted, because ever since we are born we’ve been told to make a name for ourselves. We’ve been told to strive for fame and power, to achieve something, to be remembered. But at the end of the day, those things don’t equal happiness, and they definitely don’t equal a fantastic life.

They say that some people are born great, some people achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them. Well, what about the people that never get a taste of greatness? No one ever makes movies on them, or writes stories about them. And in a way, I think that’s a blessing. To live a perfectly uneventful life that is completely stress free and is not the stuff that soap operas are made of. Some might say that a life of mediocrity is an indication of lethargy or indifference. But I think it’s something else, I think it’s a desire for peace.

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To Ink or not to Ink?

Let's talk about tattoos. Sometimes I think we place too much importance on things. Everything has to have a sentimental value. I don’t really understand it. Let's talk about tattoos. Sometimes I think we place too much importance on things. Everything has to have a sentimental value. I don’t really understand it. A lot of the times I tell people that I don’t need to get a tattoo that means a lot to me, and they’re always taken aback. Sure, maybe my zodiac symbol doesn’t have some deep personal history behind it, but it’s something that I’m fascinated by. So why isn’t that worth inking on my body?

I've been told to think hard before I get a tattoo, because they’re permanent. Well so are the choices we make. Every single decision we make has a lasting impact, they’re permanent. But that doesn’t stop people from doing things on a whim. So why should tattoos be any different? Not saying that I have anything against meaningful tattoos. I mean if you have something sentimental that you want on your body, more power to you. But if you want to get a tattoo of a couple of birds just for the heck of it, you should be allowed to without people wondering why you would ever do something so reckless.

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